Elly's grandfather has trouble accepting the fact his son is gay. Shows the different feelings that exist within a family regarding a gay family member from a child's point of view.

Based on a scene from Wright's autobiography, Black Boy, in which the seventeen-year-old African-American borrows a white man's library card and devours every book as a ticket to freedom.

Breaks down the population of the world into a collection of one hundred representative people and describes what one would find in this global village; covering languages, ages, religions, food, air and water, schooling, and possessions, accompanied by vivid color illustrations.

Fourteen stories by American authors from diverse racial and cultural background, including Duane Big Eagle, Nicholasa Mohr, Lensey Namioka, and Robert Cormier.

Photo Album & Index Cards
Toothpicks
Journal
Feedback Form

Families may add a recipe to the ring!
Chocolate Caliente (Mexico)
Gulyas Soup (Hungary)

t Pretend you were the niece or nephew of Uncle Ned. Write a response to Uncle Ned's letter.

t At the party, Elly's grandfather made a speech and Elly's parents cried. Why do you think they cried?

t Do you think Elly's two uncles will be invited to the next family gathering? Why or why not?

t Do you think Elly's two uncles should be invited to the next family function? Why or why not?

t Books were an important part of Richard's life. Write a poem describing what books mean to you or what you life would be like without them.

t Conduct research to discover which rights have been denied to African Americans throughout American history. If possible, include the year these rights were obtained.

• Worldbook History
  [http://www2.worldbook.com/features/features.asp?feature=aajourney&page=html/intro.html&direct=no]
• From Slavery to Freedom: The African-American Pamphlet
  [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/aohome.html]
• U.S. Supreme Court Cases
  [http://www.triadntr.net/~rdavis/federal.htm]
• Timeline of African American History
  [http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/]

t What fact surprised you the most while reading the book?

t Pretend you went to visit the Global Village. Create and write a message on a postcard describing your experience there. Add your postcard to the photo album to share with others.

t After reading the book, what 3 things do you feel you are most fortunate to have and why? What would you be willing to give up to make someone else's life better?

t There is an expression "Think globally, act locally." What could you do to help people in need in our local area? Create a plan of help.

t Pick a story to read with your family. Find out more about the author of that story. What is the author's ethnicity or cultural background? How does the author's background influence the story?

t Research one of the authors in the book. Create a poster with basic facts about his or her life.